Expanding Manufacturing Intelligence and Strengthening Canada’s Industrial and Defence Supply Chains

OWEN SOUND, ON – October 21, 2026 – Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of industry data and research assets developed through a key initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing (recently dissolved).

The acquired assets represent an important body of work dedicated to identifying, documenting and understanding Canadian manufacturers, their production capabilities and their contributions to the broader industrial ecosystem. By incorporating these resources into its national operations, EMC will build on this foundation to enhance industry and labour market intelligence (LMI), identify emerging opportunities and strengthen connections among manufacturers across the country

“The Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing established an important foundation for understanding Canada’s manufacturing landscape, and we are proud to carry that legacy forward,” said Jean-Pierre Giroux, President of Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium. “By combining this valuable body of work with EMC’s national reach and direct relationships with manufacturers, we have an opportunity to build on what Trillium started and create even greater value for Canadian industry. Our focus is on turning manufacturing intelligence into meaningful connections, new business opportunities and stronger domestic supply chains.”

In taking on these assets, EMC recognizes the significant contributions of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing and the vision that inspired its work: improving the visibility of Canadian manufacturing capabilities, fostering meaningful industry connections and strengthening Canada’s manufacturing sector. EMC is committed to honouring and continuing this legacy while advancing the use of these resources to support the evolving needs of Canadian manufacturers.

As Canadian manufacturers navigate ongoing trade uncertainty, shifting global supply chains and increasing pressure to diversify markets, access to accurate industry intelligence and meaningful business connections has never been more important.

Through this strategic investment, EMC will leverage the acquired industry data and research assets to advance several key priorities:

• Strengthening Domestic Supply Chains: Identifying Canadian manufacturing capabilities and helping businesses discover potential suppliers, customers and strategic partners.
• Supporting Market Diversification: Creating opportunities for manufacturers to explore new industries, markets and commercial relationships.
• Advancing Manufacturing Intelligence: Expanding industry directories, enhancing data quality and developing new approaches to understanding Canada’s manufacturing landscape.
• Connecting Canada’s Manufacturing Ecosystem: Leveraging EMC’s national network to encourage collaboration among manufacturers, industry associations, economic development organizations, government and strategic partners.
• Supporting Industry Development: Applying industry intelligence to identify emerging Labour Market Information (LMI) trends, workforce requirements, investment opportunities and sector-specific needs.

“Canada has tremendous manufacturing capabilities, but there is still an opportunity to better understand, connect and promote what our manufacturers can do,” added Giroux. “This initiative is about more than collecting industry data. It’s about making that intelligence actionable, helping manufacturers identify new opportunities, make informed business decisions and build stronger connections across the country.”

The acquisition aligns with EMC’s broader national strategy to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness, advance supply chain resilience and facilitate industry-driven growth. By preserving and building upon the industry data and research assets developed through the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing, EMC will carry forward the original vision behind this important work while expanding its applications to further benefit manufacturers across Canada.

About Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)

Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping Canadian manufacturers grow, compete and succeed. Through its extensive network of manufacturing employers, EMC delivers industry-driven programs, workforce development initiatives, strategic partnerships and collaborative opportunities designed to strengthen Canada’s manufacturing sector.

For more information, visit www.emccanada.org.

Media Contact
Tiffany Robbins, Marketing & Communications
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium
trobbins@emccanada.org

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